The Stormont Executive today unveils its plans to improve health and life expectancy rates in the North which are below those in other EU states. The health minister, Ms Bairbre de Brún, releases "Investing for Health" in west Belfast this morning.
The plan aims to extend life expectancy of the population and to narrow the gap in health standards between the most affluent and impoverished sections of the community over the eight years until 2010.
The plan envisages extending male life expectancy to 77 years from the current 74, and female life expectancy by two years to 81.
The document outlines an approach to be adopted by several departments in an effort to eradicate the inequalities which result in the least well-off suffering death rates up to three times higher than the top occupational class.
The document says 5,400 fewer people would die prematurely each year if death rates were reduced to match those in Europe by tackling social deprivation and inequalities.
It states that there have been radical improvements in the North's health standards over the last century, but adds that there are still too many people dying young or suffering from preventable illnesses and conditions.
"The poorest are more likely to be sick or disabled and to die prematurely than the wealthiest - 24 per cent of the population is now considered to be living in poverty," it states.
Ms de Brún says: "The underlying idea is that if we invest even small amounts of time, money and effort now, we can make substantial future gains in health."
Aims and objectives have been set for all 10 government departments at Stormont and all relevant ministers are involved.